Hoaxers are putting lives at risk by firing distress flares over the Tyne.

Hoaxers are putting lives at risk by firing distress flares over the Tyne.

Lifesavers have been called out eight times since the start of the year and fear more chaos after a batch of seagoing flares was stolen.

Crews had to launch three times last weekend and twice this weekend when flares triggered rescues at sea.

Coastguards said the number of hoaxes is rising, tying up emergency crews and putting lives at risk.

Richard Ilderton, a lifeboatman from Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, said: "We give up our time for free. It is very disheartening to be called out in the middle of the night only to find out it is a hoax.

"We will always respond to flares and we do not want the public to stop reporting them. The danger is people are scared to report them and someone is in danger.

"Unfortunately we are seeing the number rising. You can even buy them over the counter for as little as &#xA3;10-20.

"The people behind these hoaxes might think it's fun but it would put lives at risk if a genuine incident happened at the same time."

Last year crews estimate they were called out to around 10 hoax flares, while already there have been eight in 2002, five in the past 10 days.

Tynemouth RNLI and Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade launched at 12.15am on Saturday after receiving 999 calls about a red distress flare in the Willington Quay area of Wallsend.

And 24 hours lateranother hoax flare was fired over North Shields Fish Quay, less than an hour after a boat owner discovered his launch at Royal Quays Marina had been broken into.

The thieves stole an inflatable raft with its emergency equipment, the raft was found but the flares are still missing.

Chief Insp Derek Scott, said: "We are concerned these flares have been stolen. These hoaxes are a complete waste of emergency services' time." Anyone with information should call (0191) 214 6555.